Chairman’s Foreword

I write this note on the day of Michael Dwyer’s funeral. Michael was the co-founder of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, the Festival Director from 2003 - 2007 and until a few months ago, it’s illustrious Chairman. He should be writing this note of welcome, not I. It was unthinkable this time last year that Michael would not be with us today to celebrate the launching of the 8th JDIFF. We are poorer by his leaving but so enriched by his presence for so long. On behalf of the Board I would like to convey to Brian Jennings and Michael’s family, our heartfelt sorrow at their great loss.

As Michael pointed out in previous JDIFF catalogues, so many of the films which are screened in the festival are amongst the best in their genre or nationality, but because of the way in which cinema distribution functions (or not) internationally, this will be the only opportunity for Irish audiences to see many of the films on offer.

Gráinne Humphreys, our treasured Festival Director, has assembled a wonderful programme for 2010. There is a strong representation of new Irish films which will reflect the vibrant state of contemporary Irish film production. Special seasons of Russian and Korean cinema will give Irish audiences a rare opportunity to view a representative selection of movies from countries which, while having a major cinema output and enormous cultural value, nonetheless do not get sufficient exposure internationally. In the case of Korea, we are particularly pleased that significant work has been accomplished this year in cementing a bond with the Pusan International Film Festival.

There is a lovely selection of films in our Out Of The Past section and we are especially delighted to be screening Federico Fellini’s great La Dolce Vita. In celebration of the work of the great film composer Nino Rota whose collaborations with Fellini, Visconti, Zeffirelli and Coppola are the core of his work, a special concert will be held at the National Concert Hall on February 22nd.

There are many other strands to the festival which will provide something which is sure to appeal to the broadest audience taste.

O’Hagan the Festival’s CEO has worked tirelessly this year to ensure, that despite the challenging financial climate, the 2010 JDIFF is very well poised in terms of cost control and revenues raised to deliver a superb festival this year.

We are as ever proud to be associated with our title sponsor, Jameson, who have been our partners from the foundation of the festival. Their involvement is crucial to the scale and success of the JDIFF.

We are also enormously grateful to the Arts Council, Bord Scánnan na hÉireann, the MEDIA programme and Dublin City Council whose financial support is vital for the festival in general as well as being essential for certain of our programmes.

I would particularly like to pay tribute to the work of the entire staff of the festival. We especially appreciate the work of all our volunteer staff who bring a wonderful energy and passion to the festival.

Finally, as we try to come to terms with Michael Dwyer’s death, we are exploring ways in which his unique contribution to the festival, and indeed to cinema in Ireland, might be appropriately remembered. In the short term, Gráinne Humphreys has assembled a special programme of films which were dear to Michael and which benefited from him being a champion for them.

Arthur Lappin Chairman

Joanne

In preparing for the 2010 festival we are acutely aware of the financial challenges facing most people. Our ticket pricing structure is broadly similar to last year and if you are an avid filmgoer then our Season Ticket will represent extraordinary value for money. We have introduced a new low cost option for afternoon screenings which will appeal to students and senior citizens.